Carrier Apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for carrying one or more garments is described. The apparatus comprises a housing ( 12 ) and a first member ( 18 ) to be adapted to be stored within the housing. The first member is adapted to receive one or more garment and is deformable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for carrying clothing.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

There are suitcases or travel bags on the market intended for storing clothing such that when the user reaches their destination their stored clothing is relatively crease free and ready for wear. However, these cases can be very bulky and often the user needs to use one of their hands to carry or pull these devices. Additionally, it has been found that with some of these cases the clothes do not remain wrinkle free for long.

Most devices on the market are impractical for transporting smart clothing for the day ahead, if the user, wishes, for example, to run or cycle to work, or travel on business.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for carrying one or more garments comprising:

a housing; and

a first member to be adapted to be stored within the housing, the first member adapted to receive one or more garments, the first member being deformable.

In one embodiment of the present invention, providing a deformable member adapted to receive one or more garments, reduces the creases in the garments during use of the apparatus. When the garment is placed within the housing, and the housing is, for example, closed, the compression caused by the closure is absorbed by the first member, reducing the compressive effect on the garment. A compressive effect on the garment between two rigid surfaces, could worsen any creases already in the material.

The apparatus may comprise a second member adapted to be stored within the housing, the second member adapted to receive one or more garments.

Preferably, the first member is adapted to be received within the shoulder portion of a coat or jacket. The first member may be coat hanger shaped.

Preferably, the first member defines a shoulder portion of a torso. The first member is designed so that it protects the upper breast of a suit. This area of the suit is highly sensitive and usually reinforced with felt panels, subject to pressure this area will deform and fatigue. The purpose of the first member is to provide support for this area and retain the suit's natural shape. The first member also provides support for the shoulder area of the suit with its extra volume.

Preferably, the first member is wider than a conventional hanger. This arrangement permits the shoulder pads to be protected

Preferably, the first member is flexible.

Preferably, the first member comprises a foam.

Preferably the first member comprises a resilient foam.

Preferably, the second member is adapted to be used to roll up the garment. Rolling the garment up will apply a pressure to the first member which, as it is deformable, disperses the pressure resulting in fewer creases.

In one embodiment the second member is deformable.

In an alternative embodiment the second member is rigid.

Preferably, the second member is hollow. A hollow member reduces the weight of the apparatus.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises a sleeve adapted to receive a garment.

The sleeve may define a compartment to receive the garment.

Preferably, the sleeve is a bag. The sleeve or bag stops the garment gathering and creasing as the garment is rolled up.

Preferably, the sleeve or bag is closable, preferably by means of a zip.

Preferably, the sleeve or bag defines a compartment adapted to receive the second member. The sleeve or bag plays a part in the rolling process as it reduces friction between the suit and the second member.

The second member compartment may be separate from the garment compartment.

The second member compartment may be dimensioned to receive the second member in a neat fit.

The second member compartment may be releasably sealable.

Preferably, the housing comprises an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion.

The upper and lower housing portions may be connected.

Preferably, the upper housing and lower housing portions are releasably connected.

The upper and lower housings may be connected by a zip or latches or the like.

Preferably, the upper and lower housings are hingedly connected.

Preferably, the upper and lower housings are in a clamshell arrangement.

The upper and lower housings may be relatively movable from a first position in which the housing is open and a garment can be placed within the housing to a second position in which the housing is closed and the garment is stored within the housing.

Preferably, the upper housing portion defines a recess adapted to receive the first member. Providing a recess into which the first member can sit facilitates, in use, secure containment of the garments, reduces creasing to the garments as they are not permitted to move within the apparatus. The recess may be delta shaped.

Preferably, the first member defines an aperture. The aperture can be utilised as a handle which can be accessed from the front of the garment when the garment is on the hanger.

Preferably, the first member further comprises a hanging device for permitting the first member to be hung from a rail or door handle or the like.

Preferably, the hanging device is a fabric strap.

Preferably, the fabric strap is adapted to pass through the first member aperture.

Preferably, the fabric strap is releasably securable to a rail or door handle or the like. The hanging device may be secured using a temporary fastening mechanism, for example Velcro, which will secure the hanging device to a clothes rail or garment hook. When not in use the hanging device will sit flush against the suit bag allowing for the clamshell to close. As the hanging device is fabric, it does not crease the suit.

In an embodiment the apparatus may comprise a storage compartment.

The storage compartment may be separate from the housing. The storage compartment may be used, for example, for storing shoes.

The housing may be releasably attachable to the storage compartment.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of storing a garment for carrying, the method comprising:

draping a garment over a first deformable member;

placing a garment in a housing, such that when the housing is closed, any compressive force applied by the housing to the garment is dispersed by the first member.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of rolling the garment around a second member towards the first member.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of placing the garment and the first deformable member in a sleeve.

Preferably, where the method comprises the step of placing the garment and the first deformable member in a sleeve, the method further comprises inserting the second member in a compartment defined by the bag or sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompany drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for carrying one or more garments according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from one end of the second member of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first member of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hanging strap from the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a protective bag from the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7, comprising FIGS. 7 a-7 e, is a series of schematic views showing the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is firstly made to FIGS. 1 and 2, perspective and exploded views respectively, of an apparatus, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, for carrying one or more garments according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The apparatus (10) comprises a housing (12) consisting of an upper housing (14) and a lower housing (16). Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the apparatus (10) further comprises a deformable first member (18) and a second member (20), both members (18,20) adapted to be stored within the housing (12) and adapted to receive one or more garments.

The upper and lower housings (18,20) are hingedly connected by a hinge not shown) fixed to the upper housing (14) along an upper housing edge (22) and to the lower housing (16) along a lower housing edge (24). This permits the housing (12) to open and close like a clam shell. The housing (12) further comprises latches (26,28), for releasably locking the housing (12) in a closed configuration.

The deformable first member (18) comprises a foam, and is shaped to replicate the upper human torso and the first member (18) is used like a coat hanger; in use, a garment is draped around the first member (18), the first member (18) fully supporting the shoulder portion of the garment.

The second member (20) is a hollow board made from reinforced recycled cardboard, which can be more clearly seen in FIG. 3, an end perspective view of the second member of the apparatus (10) of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective view of the first member (18), it can be seen that the first member (18) comprises an aperture (30) through which a fabric strap may be passed to permit the first member to be hung from a rail or the like. The fabric strap (50) can be seen in FIG. 5. Referring back to FIG. 4, the first member (18) further includes a trouser rail (34) and first and second upper surfaces (36,38), the purpose of which will be described in due course.

Referring back to FIG. 2, it will also be seen that the upper housing (14) defines a recess (32) adapted to receive the deformable first member (18).

Referring now to FIG. 6, the apparatus further comprises a protective bag (60) into which a garment can be placed prior to insertion into the housing (12). The bag (60) defines a resealable compartment (62) on a front surface (64) adapted to receive the second member (20). Again the purpose of the bag (60) will be described.

The operation of the apparatus (10) will now be described with reference to FIG. 7, comprising FIGS. 7 a-7 e, a series of schematic views showing the operation of the apparatus (10) of FIG. 1, and a suit will be placed within the apparatus (10) in the example described.

Firstly, the suit trousers (not shown) are draped over the first member trouser rail (34). Then the jacket (not shown) is draped around the first member upper surfaces (36,38). The suit (70) is then placed in side the protective bag (60) and laid out on a surface (FIG. 7 a). The second member (20), if not already in position, is inserted into the bag compartment (62) at a lower edge of the suit jacket and the hem of the trousers, and the suit is rolled up towards the first member (18) around the second member (20) (FIGS. 7 b-7 d). This rolling action will apply a pressure to the first member (18), which will deform to absorb this pressure reducing the possibility of the suit creasing. The bag (60) acts as a lubricant for this rolling process and reduces friction between the suit and the second member (20).

The rolled up suit, together with the first and second members (18,20), is then placed in the lower housing (16) and once in place the upper housing (14) is pivoted about the hinge (not shown) to a configuration in which the housing (12) is closed and the latches (26,28) are locked (FIG. 7 e). During this closure process, further compressive force may be applied to the garment, which is also dispersed by the deformable first and second members (18,20).

In the closed configuration the first member (18) sits within the upper housing recess (32) preventing movement of the garment within the housing (12), which again prevents creasing.

Various modifications and improvements may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although both first and second members are described being deformable, it is only strictly necessary for the first member to be deformable. The second member could be a rigid piece of board or a plastics material. 

1. An apparatus for carrying one or more garments comprising: a housing comprising an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion moveable from a first position in which the housing is open and said one or more garments can be placed within the housing to a second position in which the housing is closed and said one or more garments are stored within the housing; and a first member adapted to be stored within the housing and to deform under compression, the first member adapted to receive said one or more garments.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a second member adapted to be stored within the housing and to receive said one or more garments, and wherein the first member is adapted to be received within a shoulder portion of a coat or jacket.
 3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled)
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first member defines a shoulder portion of a torso.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first member is wider than a conventional hanger.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first member is flexible, wherein the first member comprises a foam, and wherein the first member comprises a resilient foam.
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled)
 10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second member is adapted to be used to roll up said one or more garments.
 11. (canceled)
 12. (canceled)
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second member is hollow.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a sleeve adapted to receive said one or more garments, and wherein the sleeve defines a garment compartment to receive said one or more garments.
 15. (canceled)
 16. (canceled)
 17. (canceled)
 18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the sleeve defines a second member compartment adapted to receive the second member.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the second member compartment is separate from the garment compartment.
 20. (canceled)
 21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the second member compartment is releasably sealable.
 22. (canceled)
 23. (canceled)
 24. (canceled)
 25. (canceled)
 26. (canceled)
 27. (canceled)
 28. (canceled)
 29. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper housing portion defines a recess adapted to receive the first member.
 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the recess is delta shaped.
 31. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first member defines an aperture.
 32. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first member further comprises a hanging device for permitting the first member to be hung from a rail or door handle or the like.
 33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the hanging device is a fabric strap, and wherein the fabric strap is adapted to pass through an aperture defined in the first member.
 34. (canceled)
 35. (canceled)
 36. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the fabric strap is releasably securable to a rail of door handle or the like, and wherein the hanging device is secured using a temporary fastening mechanism.
 37. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a storage compartment.
 38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the storage compartment is separate from the housing.
 39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the housing is releasably attachable to the storage compartment.
 40. A method of storing a garment for carrying, the method comprising: draping said garment over a first deformable member; and placing said garment in a housing, the housing comprising an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion moveable from a first position in which the housing is open and said garment can be placed within the housing to a second position in which the housing is closed and said garment is stored within the housing; wherein when the housing is closed, any compressive force applied by the housing to said garment is dispersed by the first deformable member.
 41. The method of claim 40, wherein the method further comprises the step of rolling said garment around a second member towards the first member.
 42. The method of claim 40, wherein the method further comprises the step of placing said garment and the first deformable member in a sleeve.
 43. The method of claim 42, wherein where the method comprises the step of placing said garment and the first deformable member in a sleeve, the method further comprises inserting a second member in a compartment defined by the sleeve.
 44. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion are releasably connected.
 45. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion are hingedly connected. 